Loss and Noise Characteristics of Microwave Direct Modulated Optical Links

Loss and noise figure of optical links transmitting microwave signals —e.g. for remote antennas in wireless communications — are dealt with.Conditions are rather general and include arbitrary matching conditions, shotnoise, and laser relative intensity noise. Specific and somewhat surprisingcharacteristics are derived. Among others, it is shown, that — likepassive, purely microwave systems — noise figure is not proportional toelectrical loss and it can be even lower than loss itself. Optical powershould be as low as possible — this limit is mainly determined by therequired dynamic range of the system. Loss and noise figure were measured inan experimental setup. Results of the measurements proved the theoreticalfindings rather well. Preliminary results on the transmission of 32TCM signalsover the link are briefly presented.